Pascagoula Shipyard: 3,000+ Asbestos Claims Filed Against Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi

Key Facts About Asbestos at Ingalls Shipbuilding

• Ingalls Shipbuilding opened in 1938 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, founded by Robert Ingersoll Ingalls Sr.
• The shipyard built over 250 Navy vessels containing the substance by 1960, with its use continuing through the early 1980s [1]
• Between 1975 and 1980, Ingalls furnished approximately 70% of all U.S. Navy ships [12]
• ACM at the shipyard included pipe covering, block insulation, cement, tape, and gasket materials [11]
• More than 3,000 former workers had filed exposure-related lawsuits against Ingalls by 1991 [11]
• The shipyard is now operated by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), spun off from Northrop Grumman in 2011 [12]
• Ingalls currently employs approximately 11,000 workers building Arleigh Burke destroyers and San Antonio-class amphibious ships [12]
• A 55-year follow-up study of shipyard workers found a standardized mortality ratio of 575 for pleural mesothelioma [2]
• Mississippi applies a 3-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims, measured from the date of diagnosis
• Veterans account for approximately 30% of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States [10]
• Over 60 asbestos bankruptcy trust funds hold more than $30 billion combined for eligible claimants [8]

Why Was Asbestos Used at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula?

The mineral was essential to naval ship construction from the 1930s through the 1970s because of its exceptional heat resistance, fire retardant properties, and low cost. At Ingalls Shipbuilding, the mineral was integrated into virtually every component of the vessels rolling off the Pascagoula production line — from the hull insulation to the boiler rooms to the electrical wiring.

The U.S. Navy specifically required ship insulation containing the fiber in its warship specifications during this era. Shipyards like Ingalls had no choice but to comply with these material requirements while building destroyers, amphibious assault ships, and transport docks. The Navy prioritized fire prevention aboard combat vessels, and the fiber was the only material that met both the thermal and cost requirements at scale [4].

"Shipyard workers at facilities like Ingalls were exposed to multiple types of ship insulation products simultaneously — pipe covering, block insulation, cement, and tape — creating cumulative exposure levels that significantly elevated their mesothelioma risk."

— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

The specific ACM documented at Ingalls included pipe covering insulation wrapped around steam lines and hot water systems, block insulation installed in engine rooms and boiler compartments, ite cement used as a fireproofing material on bulkheads and decks, fiber-based tape applied at pipe joints and connections, and gasket materials used in valves, flanges, and mechanical seals throughout each vessel [11].

How Many Ships Did Ingalls Build With Asbestos-Containing Materials?

By 1960 alone, Ingalls Shipbuilding had constructed more than 250 vessels containing ACM [11]. Production continued through subsequent decades with the mineral remaining a standard shipbuilding material until the early 1980s. During the critical period between 1975 and 1980, Ingalls furnished approximately 70% of all U.S. Navy ships — meaning the majority of the American fleet was built at this single Mississippi facility [12].

The scale of Ingalls' production is reflected in its major warship classes. The shipyard has delivered 34 Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers (DDG-51), 13 San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-17), 2 America-class large-deck amphibious assault ships (LHA-6), and 10 Legend-class national security cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard [12]. Every vessel class constructed during the ACM era contained the mineral in its thermal insulation systems.

"The sheer volume of ships built at Pascagoula — over 250 vessels containing asbestos by 1960, with decades more production afterward — means thousands of workers were exposed during construction, and thousands of sailors were exposed during service aboard these ships."

— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

The shipyard remains active today as a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, employing approximately 11,000 workers. While the fiber is no longer used in new ship construction, maintenance and repair work on older vessels can still disturb legacy ACM installed before the phase-out [12]. Workers at other major HII shipyards faced similar exposure patterns — see Newport News Shipbuilding asbestos claims for the Virginia shipyard's exposure history.

Which Workers at Ingalls Shipbuilding Had the Highest Asbestos Exposure?

Exposure at Ingalls was not limited to insulation workers. The enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces inside ship hulls during construction created conditions where airborne fibers affected workers across multiple trades. A landmark study published in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine examined predictors of mesothelioma in shipyard workers exposed to the mineral and found that duration of exposure and proximity to insulation work were primary risk factors [1].

The highest-risk occupations at Ingalls included:

• Insulation workers (laggers): Applied and removed toxic pipe covering and block insulation in confined ship compartments
• Pipefitters and plumbers: Cut, fitted, and joined insulated pipes throughout each vessel
• Boilermakers: Installed and maintained ACM-lined boilers and heat exchangers
• Welders: Worked in close proximity to insulation that released fibers when heated
• Electricians: Ran wiring through insulated bulkheads and compartments, disturbing ACM
• Sheet metal workers: Fabricated and installed components alongside insulated systems containing the mineral
• Painters: Prepared surfaces that often involved removing or disturbing toxic coatings

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry identifies shipyard workers as one of the highest-risk occupational groups for asbestos-related diseases because of the confined working environments and the duration of the mineral's use in the industry [5]. A 55-year mortality follow-up of 4,700 shipyard workers in Genoa, Italy, found a standardized mortality ratio of 575 for pleural mesothelioma — meaning shipyard workers developed the disease at nearly 6 times the expected rate [2].

What Legal Claims Have Been Filed Against Ingalls Shipbuilding?

The scale of exposure litigation against Ingalls Shipbuilding reflects the scope of exposure at the Pascagoula facility. By 1991, more than 3,000 former workers had filed asbestos-related lawsuits against the shipyard, and Ingalls acknowledged that exposure to the mineral occurred at the job site [11]. Litigation has continued through the present day against Huntington Ingalls Industries, the current parent company.

Documented jury awards in Ingalls cases include:

• Overly v. Ingalls Shipbuilding (1996): A jury found Ingalls guilty of negligence and awarded the plaintiff $400,000 in non-economic damages plus $25,000 for loss of consortium
• Separate mesothelioma verdict: A worker diagnosed with mesothelioma from extensive exposure to the fiber received an $865,000 jury award, with Ingalls held responsible for a portion of damages

"Former Ingalls workers don't just have one option for compensation — they may qualify for personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, VA benefits, and workers' compensation. An experienced attorney can identify all available pathways and pursue them simultaneously."

— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Most Ingalls asbestos cases target not the shipyard itself but the manufacturers of the asbestos products used at the facility. Companies that supplied the mineral as insulation, gaskets, and cement to Ingalls include firms that have since filed bankruptcy and established asbestos trust funds to pay claims. Over 60 such trusts currently hold more than $30 billion combined [8]. Similar claims have been pursued by workers at neighboring Gulf Coast facilities — workers exposed at Avondale shipyard asbestos exposure in Louisiana have accessed many of the same trust funds.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Mississippi Asbestos Claims?

Mississippi applies a 3-year statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims, measured from the date of diagnosis — not the date of exposure. This discovery rule is critical for mesothelioma patients because the disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years between initial exposure and diagnosis [3].

Without the discovery rule, virtually every former Ingalls worker would lose their legal rights before they even knew they were sick. The discovery rule ensures that the statute of limitations clock starts only when a diagnosis is made or reasonably should have been made.

Key Mississippi filing deadlines for former Ingalls workers:

• Personal injury claims: 3 years from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis
• Wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death for surviving family members
• Asbestos trust fund claims: Separate deadlines set by each individual trust, which may differ from the state statute of limitations

Because these deadlines are strictly enforced, former Ingalls workers and their families should consult a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis. Missing the filing deadline permanently bars the claim regardless of its merits.

What Compensation Is Available for Veterans Who Served on Ingalls-Built Ships?

Veterans who served aboard Navy ships built at Ingalls Shipbuilding face elevated mesothelioma risk from asbestos exposure during their service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes toxic mineral exposure as a qualifying hazardous material for disability benefits, and mesothelioma qualifies for a 100% disability rating [10]. Veterans account for approximately 30% of all mesothelioma diagnoses nationwide.

Compensation pathways available to veterans exposed to the fiber on Ingalls-built ships include:

• VA disability compensation: Monthly tax-free payments at the 100% disability rate for mesothelioma (approximately $3,700+ per month in 2026)
• VA Special Monthly Compensation: Additional payments for veterans requiring aid and attendance or who are housebound
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Monthly payments to surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected mesothelioma
• VA healthcare: Treatment at VA medical centers and affiliated cancer treatment programs at no cost
• Maritime law claims: Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act claims for civilian shipyard workers and maritime employees

"Veterans can pursue VA disability benefits and civil asbestos lawsuits simultaneously — these are separate legal systems and one does not offset the other. A veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma from serving on an Ingalls-built destroyer can receive both VA compensation and trust fund payments."

— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Importantly, VA disability claims and civil lawsuits operate independently. A veteran receiving VA disability compensation can simultaneously pursue asbestos trust fund claims and personal injury lawsuits without one reducing the other. The PACT Act has expanded eligibility for veterans with toxic exposure-related conditions including mesothelioma.

How Does Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Affect Ingalls Workers' Families?

Secondhand exposure — also called take-home or paraoccupational exposure — occurred when Ingalls Shipbuilding workers carried toxic fibers home on their work clothing, boots, hair, and skin. Family members who laundered contaminated work clothes or who had close physical contact with workers inhaled these fibers, putting them at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Research has documented mesothelioma cases in spouses and children of shipyard workers who never personally worked at the shipyard [3]. The National Cancer Institute recognizes household contacts of exposed workers as an at-risk population for asbestos-related cancers [3].

Family members of former Ingalls workers who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may file personal injury claims based on secondhand exposure. Additionally, if the worker has died from an asbestos-related disease, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims within Mississippi's 3-year deadline. Asbestos trust fund claims are also available to family members who can document their exposure through the worker's employment history at the shipyard.

What Should Former Ingalls Workers Do After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?

A mesothelioma diagnosis triggers urgent legal and medical timelines. Former Ingalls Shipbuilding workers and their families should take these steps promptly:

1. Document your work history: Record the years you worked at Ingalls, your job titles, the specific ship classes or areas where you worked, and the names of any ACM you remember using or being exposed to
2. Identify coworkers: Former colleagues can provide witness testimony confirming toxic exposure conditions at the shipyard
3. Seek specialized medical care: Mesothelioma requires treatment by oncologists experienced with the disease — the NCI maintains a directory of designated cancer centers [9]
4. Consult a mesothelioma attorney: An attorney experienced in exposure litigation can identify all eligible trust funds, evaluate lawsuit options, and ensure claims are filed before Mississippi's 3-year deadline
5. File VA claims if applicable: Veterans should file disability claims with the VA concurrently with any civil legal action [10]
6. Preserve evidence: Medical records, employment records, union documents, and Social Security earnings statements all support exposure claims

The 3-year statute of limitations in Mississippi means that delay can permanently eliminate legal options. Because mesothelioma cases involve complex product identification — determining which manufacturers' toxic products were used at Ingalls during specific time periods — early consultation with an experienced attorney is essential to building the strongest possible claim.

If you or a family member worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, take our free case assessment or call our legal team to discuss your options. Consultations are free and confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of asbestos were used at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula?

Ingalls Shipbuilding used multiple asbestos-containing products throughout its ship construction and repair operations. These included pipe covering insulation, block insulation for boiler rooms and engine compartments, asbestos cement for fireproofing, asbestos tape for wrapping pipes and joints, and gasket materials for valves and flanges. Asbestos was used extensively from the shipyard's founding in 1938 through the early 1980s. During peak production, virtually every vessel constructed at the facility contained asbestos in its hull insulation, boilers, pipes, turbines, and electrical systems.

How many asbestos lawsuits have been filed against Ingalls Shipbuilding?

By 1991, more than 3,000 former workers had filed asbestos-related lawsuits against Ingalls Shipbuilding, and the company acknowledged asbestos exposure at its Pascagoula facility. Lawsuits have continued through the present day against Huntington Ingalls Industries, the current parent company since 2011. Notable jury awards include $400,000 in non-economic damages in the 1996 Overly case and $865,000 in a separate mesothelioma claim. Many additional cases have been resolved through settlements and asbestos bankruptcy trust fund claims against the manufacturers of the asbestos products used at the shipyard.

What is the statute of limitations for asbestos claims in Mississippi?

Mississippi applies a 3-year statute of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims, measured from the date of diagnosis rather than the date of exposure. This is known as the discovery rule and is critical for mesothelioma patients because the disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years between exposure and diagnosis. For wrongful death claims filed by surviving family members, Mississippi also allows 3 years from the date of death. Because these deadlines are strict, former Ingalls workers or their families should consult an attorney promptly after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Which Navy ships built at Ingalls contained asbestos?

Ingalls Shipbuilding had constructed more than 250 vessels containing asbestos by 1960, and asbestos use continued through the early 1980s. The shipyard built major warship classes including Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers (DDG-51), America-class amphibious assault ships (LHA-6), San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-17), and Spruance-class destroyers. Between 1975 and 1980 alone, Ingalls furnished approximately 70% of all U.S. Navy ships. Every vessel class constructed during the asbestos era contained the mineral in insulation, gaskets, boilers, turbines, and piping systems.

Can family members of Ingalls Shipbuilding workers file asbestos claims?

Yes. Family members of Ingalls Shipbuilding workers may have legal claims through two pathways. First, family members who developed mesothelioma from secondhand asbestos exposure — where workers brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, and skin — may file personal injury lawsuits. Second, if an Ingalls worker died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, surviving spouses, children, and dependents can file wrongful death claims within Mississippi's 3-year deadline from the date of death. Asbestos trust fund claims may also be available regardless of the company's current operating status.

What compensation is available for former Ingalls Shipbuilding workers with mesothelioma?

Former Ingalls workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue compensation through multiple channels: personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers (jury awards have ranged from $400,000 to over $865,000 in documented Ingalls cases), asbestos bankruptcy trust fund claims against manufacturers whose products were used at the shipyard (over 60 trusts hold more than $30 billion combined), VA disability benefits for veterans who served on Ingalls-built ships (mesothelioma qualifies for 100% disability rating), and workers' compensation benefits through Mississippi's state system.

Is Ingalls Shipbuilding still operating and does it still use asbestos?

Yes, Ingalls Shipbuilding remains fully operational as a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, which was spun off from Northrop Grumman in 2011. The shipyard employs approximately 11,000 workers and continues to build Navy warships including Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and San Antonio-class amphibious ships. However, asbestos is no longer used in new ship construction. Modern shipbuilding materials have replaced asbestos insulation products. The current asbestos risk at the shipyard comes from maintenance, repair, and decommissioning of older vessels that still contain legacy asbestos materials installed before the 1980s.

References

1. Peto J, et al. "A Study of Possible Predictors of Mesothelioma in Shipyard Workers Exposed to Asbestos." British Journal of Industrial Medicine. 1991.
2. Merlo DF, et al. "Mortality Among Workers Exposed to Asbestos at the Shipyard of Genoa, Italy: A 55 Years Follow-Up." Environmental Health. 2018.
3. National Cancer Institute. "Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk Fact Sheet."
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. "Asbestos: Overview and Standards."
5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. "Asbestos Toxicity: Who Is at Risk?"
6. Bianchi C, Bianchi T. "Shipyard Workers and Asbestos: A Persistent and International Problem." Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2007.
7. Plato N, et al. "Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Among Swedish Insulation Workers." Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 1999.
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Asbestos Fact Sheet."
9. National Cancer Institute. "Mesothelioma Treatment (Adult) — Patient Version."
10. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Veterans Exposed to Asbestos."
11. Mesothelioma.net. "Ingalls Shipbuilding — History and Asbestos Exposure."
12. Huntington Ingalls Industries. "Ingalls Shipbuilding Division Overview."